Sermons on Trials Refine Faith:

Walking Headlong Into Trouble Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Nov 2, 2008

What do you do when you know trouble is coming? Do you run the other way as fast as you can? Paul didn’t and his example helps us when we face difficulty or when those close to us face trials.

Did trouble take Paul by surprise? It shouldn’t have. Back in Acts 9, right at his conversion, Jesus made it clear to then Saul what his future would be like. He told Ananias, who was sent to pray for Saul, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:1-40

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

When The Way Is Long And Hard

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Aug 10, 2020

Our lives can feel like those of the disciples in the boat, battling headwinds where we barely make any headway. But Jesus will come to us across impossible circumstances. His presence strengthens our hearts.

August 9, 2020 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Matthew 14:22-33 When the Way Is Long and Hard Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. There is a lot of fatigue and exhaustion going on in today’s gospel story. To begin with, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33

Denomination: Lutheran

He Remains Faithful Series

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Mar 1, 2010

In these statements, Paul gave to Timothy, Titus, and now to us, principles which are true and dependable, truths upon which we can build our faith and our lives in Christ.

He Remains Faithful A trustworthy statement 08/24/08 AM Text: 2 Timothy 2:11-13 Introduction This morning we have the second lesson drawn from the letters of Paul that we often refer to as the “Pastoral Epistles”, those letters written to Timothy and Titus. In this lesson, as with the others, we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Becoming Full Of Faith Series

Contributed by Scott Brewer on Aug 26, 2007

Painting a picture of what it looks like to be full of faith (faithful) with the acrostic "CHRISTIAN" based upon the text.

An Incarnational, Missional People “Becoming Full of Faith” 1 John 5:1-21 This past week I heard a pastor describe an experience that I think many pastors have experienced. The pastor had a 90 year old church member who was a godly man, lying in a hospital bed dying. This old saint had lived a ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Praying Through A Pandemic

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Feb 2, 2021

The church ought to pray with great expectation because (1) God sees our trials, (2) God hears our prayers (3) and God will take care of our enemies.

Acts 12:5 “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.” The graphic scene of Acts 12 is not strange to the Church. The church has always faced opposition. Since its inception, the devil has been trying to stop the church and even to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:5-25, Luke 18:1, Luke 21:36, Mark 11:17

Denomination: Methodist

Finding Strength In Difficult Times SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 10, 2023

Where do you turn when faced with challenges and difficulties? Psalm 121 guides us to seek help and find strength in the Lord.

Psalm 121 was written around three thousand years ago. It is titled "A Song of Ascents," which means it was sung by pilgrims as they ascended the road to Jerusalem for the three pilgrim festivals. These 15 Songs of Ascent, Psalms 120-134, prepared pilgrims for these spiritual festivals and reminded ...read more

Topics: Strength, Trials, Help

Called, Chosen & Faithful

Contributed by Shishir Bhandari on Aug 17, 2004

God has called us into His salvation. Yet that call is not yet complete or else God’s chariot would have come and snatched us right away to heaven on the day of our baptism; we must also be chosen and receive the highest rank of faithfulness.

Text: Rev. 17:14 Matthew 5:1-12; Isaiah 53:7 Introduction: God calls each of us to live a life of faith. You may be religious: you may have obeyed everything that your religion or denomination has commanded you to do, but you have never felt the power of God in you. This time however , you ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 17:14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faithful- Finish Strong Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Nov 9, 2024

This is the 222nd sermon in the series "Action". This is the 7th sermon from 2 Timothy.

Series: Action [#222] FAITHFUL- FINISH STRONG 2 Timothy 4:1-22 Introduction: As we complete our Series, “Action” after 222 Sermons; I want us to talk about finishing strong. Since March 22, 2020; we have studied through the Book of Acts as well as all of Paul’s Letters- We have talked about ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Night Time Ain't So Bad Series

Contributed by Ken Hubbard on Feb 11, 2010

A message about how the tough "night times" of our lives make us stronger and deepen our faith

INTRO VIDEO Rocky III Clip EXPLAIN Video Clip - If you're going to survive the battles - If you're going to survive what the enemy throws at you - If you're going to survive... 1. You Need a Tribe You Won't Get Voted Off 2. Can't Go Over the Hedge 3. You Can't Curse Your Crisis 4. ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 17:3-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith's Hall Of Fame: Israel Series

Contributed by Doug Lyon on May 11, 2008

How to handle a "Red Sea" (difficult) experience in your life.

Hebrews 11:29 Faith’s Hall of Fame: Israel Introduction • In a pinch • In a pickle • In a jam • In a corner • In a squeeze • Up a tree • Between a rock and a hard place • Behind the eight ball • Driven to the wall • Hard-pressed These are all expressions used to describe a situation with no easy ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:29

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Recognizing Life's Awe-Full Moments Amidst Life's Awful Moments

Contributed by David Welch on Dec 8, 2021

No one escapes tragedy, struggle, and awful moments in their life. This message explores a number of Biblical events that demonstrate an opportunity to recognize the AWESOME God in the awful events.

Chico Alliance Church November 14, 2021 Recognizing Life’s Awe-Full moments amid Life’s Awful moments Introduction We live in an awful broken world and won’t fully realize the God-embedded longings and dreams for a restored Eden until Jesus’ glorious return. For now…we don’t fully realize the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Unexpected Advice

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Jun 2, 2025

A Pharisee offers sound advice to the council

Unexpected Advice Acts 5:29-42 Does the LORD ever use non-believers or pagan people to speak truth or accomplish His will? In the Old Testament prophecy of Habakkuk, the LORD said He would use Babylon, which was a “ruthless” and “dreaded” nation, to achieve His purposes and correct Israel. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:29-42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

High Tide & Low Tide

Contributed by John Gaston on May 10, 2023

Life has its seas and turbulence, it’s ups & downs. There are times when everything is going right and other times when it seems everything is going wrong. The good news? God has set limits on the tides of life!

HIGH TIDE & LOW TIDE Job 38:8-11 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. It sounds like a made-up story, but it’s true. Some years ago a church in Carter County, Tennessee had an attorney draw up a deed for their property. He wrote the deed naming The Lord God Almighty as the owner. 2. That was fine ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:8-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When Storms Of Life Hit—8 Promises Of God.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Nov 2, 2020

John landed on the Island of Patmos, not because of tribulation, or hardship, but He was strategically placed on this Island for the word of God’s sake and the testimony of Jesus.”

When Storms of Life Hit—8 Promises of God. Revelation 1:9-11NIV I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 On the Lord’s Day I was in the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 1:9-11, Isaiah 43:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Get The Heart Right

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Feb 18, 2025

Jeremiah tells Juda they need to get their heart right.

Jeremiah 17:5-10 Get the heart Right 1. According to Jeremiah Judah has much sin in their Hearts • Their sins were “written with a pen of iron” 17:1 The method used to inscribe the most permanent of records • Their Hearts and all their works were sinful it had left permanent damage • The ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-10

Denomination: Methodist